Jets NFL Draft Tracker: Every Pick, Trade, and Instant Grade

The New York Jets will hope to hit the jackpot over the next three days as the 2026 NFL Draft officially gets underway with the first round on Thursday night.

The Jets head into the NFL’s three-day extravaganza with nine selections, which includes two picks inside the top-20. New York head coach Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey have to hit home runs at Nos. 2 and 16 overall if they want fans to continue buying into the vision that the franchise is building.

At No. 2 overall, the Jets will likely be deciding between David Bailey or Arvell Reese. But at No. 16 overall, New York could go in a variety of directions, including wide receiver, cornerback or defensive tackle.

The last time the Jets had two first-round picks in the draft was in 2022, when they took Sauce Gardner at No. 4 overall and Garrett Wilson at No. 10 overall. Even though Gardner isn’t on the team anymore, Jets fans can say without a doubt that New York made the right call on both picks, instilling hope that lightning can strike twice.

New York Jets on SI will have a running draft tracker with all the information, news, and analysis from the Jets’ first pick at No. 2 all the way to the final pick at No. 242 in the seventh round, as well as any potential picks that they could add along the way.

Jets’ 2026 NFL Draft Tracker

Round 1, Pick 2: David Bailey, LB, Texas Tech

To no one's surprise, the Jets went defense at No. 2 overall, taking David Bailey on Thursday night. Over the last few weeks, there's been a ton of discussion on whether New York should take Bailey or Arvell Reese. New York couldn't go wrong with either guy, but head coach Aaron Glenn gets a bona fide pass rusher to play opposite Will McDonald IV.

Bailey had an outstanding 2025 season at Texas Tech, where he went off for 52 combined tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss, three pass deflections, and a fumble recovery. At 6-foot-3, 251 pounds, Bailey has a ridiculous first step and get off, and will be a huge help to a defense that had 26 sacks in 2025 (second-fewest in the NFL).

Grade: A+

Round 1, Pick 16 (via Colts): Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

With their second pick in the first round on Thursday night, the Jets decided to address the offense, taking former Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq.

After getting their pass rusher at No. 2 overall (Bailey), the Jets took the best player available at the skill positions in Sadiq, who will become another weapon for starting QB Geno Smith. The Jets spent a second-round pick on Mason Taylor last year and have now created an exciting tandem with Sadiq's addition. He can make the tough catches, is a good blocker, and can line up at the FLEX or H-Back.

Now, the Jets can use one of their two second-round picks to grab a wide receiver as they try to get this beleaguered offense on track.

Grade: A+

Round 1, Pick 30 (via 49ers): Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana

The Jets made sure they weren't leaving the first round without taking a wide receiver after selecting tight end Kenyon Sadiq at No. 16 overall. New York made a trade with the San Francisco 49ers, sending Nos. 33 and 179 overall picks out west for No. 30 to draft wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr.

Cooper Jr. is an ideal addition for a Jets' offense that needs a WR2 to play alongside Garrett Wilson. The former Indiana Hoosier wide receiver can play inside the slot and on the outside. This past season, the 5-foot-11 Cooper Jr. had a career-high 69 receptions for 937 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Grade: A

Round 2, Pick 50 (via Lions, moved back from Pick 44): D'Angelo Ponds, CB, Indiana

New York clearly liked what it saw from the Hoosiers' championship run, as the Jets doubled down and selected Indiana cornerback D'Angelo Ponds with the 50th pick. This notably came after Gang Green was up at No. 44 and decided to trade back with the Lions, adding the No. 128 overall selection as compensation for going down six spots.

There is a lot to like about Ponds, who was a ballhawk (33 passes defended, seven interceptions) and serious playmaker (two INTS returned for touchdowns, pair of blocked kicks) across three collegiate seasons. Even though he's a strong defender who embraces matchups against top talent, his size (5-foot-8 and a half, 182 pounds) will be a challenge for him at the next level as pass-catching threats only get bigger in the modern NFL.

Grade: B+

Round 4, Pick 103: Darrell Jackson Jr., DT, Florida State

With their first pick of Day 3, the Jets addressed the trenches by drafting Darrell Jackson Jr. out of Florida State. The 6-foot-5, 337-pound defensive tackle was one of the best run-stoppers available in the fourth round, and should help a New York team that allowed the fourth-most rushing yards per game (139.5) in 2025.

A well-traveled prospect, with stints at Maryland and Miami (FL) before joining FSU, Jackson amassed 129 total tackles (12.0 for loss), two defended passes, and a forced fumble throughout his five-year career. Although he's known for his run-stopping abilities (47 stops since 2024), Jackson showed some pass-rush promise with 44 pressures (35 hurries, six sacks, three QB hits) in the last two seasons, per Pro Football Focus.

Even if he needs some seasoning, Jackson is the type of prospect who makes the Jets' defensive line better immediately.

Grade: A-

Round 4, Pick 110 (via Bengals, trade up from Picks 128, 140): Cade Klubnik, QB, Clemson

The Jets weren't willing to wait until later in Round 4 for their next selection, trading picks No. 128 and 140 to the Cincinnati Bengals in exchange for the 110th and 199th overall selections. With the newfound pick, New York addressed the quarterback room by drafting Clemson signal-caller Cade Klubnik.

The former five-star recruit was projected to go to the Jets in Round 5 of our mock draft, so his selection came earlier than expected. Nevertheless, Klubnik is the perfect project QB to develop behind Geno Smith for the next few seasons. The Tigers product showed potential through the air (10,123 passing yards, 73 touchdowns on 916 completions) and ground (878 rushing yards and 17 TDs on 369 carries), offering Glenn a well-rounded quarterback to work with.

He isn't guaranteed to be a franchise QB; however, Klubnik has the tools to help finally solve the Jets' conundrum with the right development.

Grade: B+

Round 6, Pick 188 (via Seahawks, trade up from Picks 199, 242): Anez Cooper, OG, Miami (FL)

The interior of the Jets' offensive line is another area that needed love before the draft. Fortunately, New York fortified its trenches by drafting offensive guard Anez Cooper out of Miami (FL) at No. 188, trading the 199th and 242nd overall selections to the Seattle Seahawks to move up for the selection.

Cooper will help the Jets stabilize the middle of the O-line, as his 6-foot-6, 350-pound frame should open up run lanes while offering decent pass protection. The 22-year-old blocker recorded career-high run-block (67.4) and pass-block (78.9) grades with the Hurricanes last season, which includes allowing only one sack.

Cooper is far from the most agile guard, but his mean streak and size could help him become a consistent supporting cast member for the Jets moving forward.

Grade: B

Round 7, Pick 228: VJ Payne, DB, Kansas State

Five rounds after drafting Ponds, the Jets turned their attention back to their secondary by drafting Kansas State defensive back VJ Payne with the 228th overall pick. New York's struggles against the pass were well documented last season and could use a skillful disruptor like Payne, who tallied a personal-best 74.1 coverage grade on PFF last season.

Although he often spends his time at safety and in the slot, Payne also has some outside experience, opening the door for how defensive coordinator Brian Duker can use him. He "only" had one interception and three pass breakups in 2025; however, his 47.2% completion rate and 57.4 passer rating allowed show that quarterbacks should think twice before targeting him.

It's probably going to take a few years to see what Payne truly has to offer, but all signs point to his being at least an interesting depth option.

Grade: B

For full coverage of all the draft picks, check out the SI Draft Tracker.

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